Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools (grades K-6) in the 95618 zip code of Davis, CA, all part of the highly-ranked Davis Joint Unified district, which collectively outperform state averages in all academic subjects.
Pioneer Elementary stands out as the top performer, with the highest test scores in English, math, and science, the best state ranking, and a notably low chronic absenteeism rate of 10.1%. In contrast, Marguerite Montgomery Elementary has the lowest proficiency rates and highest percentage of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, despite receiving the most funding per student. Birch Lane Elementary and Fred T. Korematsu Elementary at Mace Ranch fall in the middle academically, with Korematsu showing unusual volatility in scores between grade levels.
Key takeaways for parents include the strong overall performance of the district, the clear variation in academic results between schools, and the notable finding that higher per-student spending does not automatically correlate with higher test scores. Pioneer's significantly lower chronic absenteeism rate is a likely contributor to its success, while the performance gap between schools suggests families should consider each school's specific programs and support systems alongside the data.
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